The Club History

Past President Reg Marshal, is leading on a history project that will document the Club's history, celebrate past and present members and commemorate the Club's rich history of service. 

The Beginning:

On Friday 29 November 1946, Charles Penley chaired an informal meeting at the Chez Auguste restaurant on Old Compton Street.  The aim of this meeting was to consider the object and aims of Rotary and to determine if there was sufficient interest in establishing a new club.

Such was the interest in Rotary and in forming a new club, a Formation Committee was formed, with the responsibility of recruiting the required 25 founding members needed before an application could be submitted to Rotary International.

Over the next 12-months the Formation Committee added to its membership until on Tuesday 28 October 1947, 28 gentlemen held the inaugural meeting of the proposed club at Chez Auguste.

On 18 May 1948, the club held its Charter Night and the Rotary Club of Westminster East was formally entered into the Rotary family as part of District 13.

In 1964, Past President Charles Morgan became the District Chairman and held the office for two years.  In 1966 the term Chairman was replaced with District Governor, the term of office was reduced to one year and District 13 became District 1130.

Highlights: 

Highlights:  Throughout the 60’s the Club organised annual holidays to Westcliff-on-Sea for the disabled ladies of the Trefoil Guild.  With support from the Westminster Inner Wheel, the Club ensured that the ladies were able to go shopping, sight-seeing, visit the cinema and theatre.  The Trefoil Guild ladies always travelled in their ‘famous’ Blue Streak bus, which was eventually replaced with a purpose build vehicle with funds raised from the first Wrestling Evenings (see below). Back to top

Highlights:  In 1971 President Reg Marshal, with the help and guidance of John Cooper, established the Wrestling Evenings that enabled the Club to raise funds for Great Ormond Street over a period of 15 years.  A number of ‘celebrities’ attended these evenings, with Joan Collins proving the be the most popular guest of honour.

In 1974 Douglas Imre-Brown OBE became District Governor, going on to become President of Rotary International & Great Britain and Ireland, Director of Rotary, Rotary International Treasurer and a number of other positions on Rotary International Committees. Back to top

Highlights:  Douglas Imre-Brown was appointed Chairman of the 75^TH Annual Convention of Rotary International which was held in Birmingham 3-6 June 1984.  This was a great honour for the Club and the overwhelming majority of members attended the Convention.

In 1981President Barry Meekins was the driving force behind the setting up of Pimlico Puffins, a swimming club for people with disabilities.  Barry was the guest of honour at the Puffins Gala in 2010. Back to top

Hightlights:  In 1990 then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was inducted as an Honorary Member.  The induction was held at 10 Downing Street and attended by a select number of Club members.  In addition, the Prime Minister invited the Club to a guided tour of Downing Street.

In 1991 Lena Hasselgren became the Club's first lady member. Back to top

Highlights:  In 2000 the Rotary Club of Westminster East established an annual golf day which, over eight years, raised over £110,000 for a number of charities, including Marie Curie, Great Ormond Street and Shooting Star Children’s Hospice.

In 2001 Diana Fitch became the Club's first lady President.  In 2008 President Judith Crowe presided over the Club’s 60 years of service celebration.  The event was attended by fellows, past members, friends of the Club and District Governor Colin Matthews.

In 2009 President Issa formally initiated a P.R and Marketing Campaign aimed at generating more awareness of the Club using online technoligies. Back to top

Highlilghts:  In 2110 the Club launched a new web site and facebook page as part of an overall online strategy.

Note:  The Club is keen to hear from anyone who has memories, information and/or photos that would help the Club with its History Project. Back to top.